The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-07-01
Blind Patterson and HIS Big



Pension.
1t is evident that shaTpers are trying TO
get hold of the big pension which tie gov
ernment granted to Patterson, the blind
soldier of Elmi-a, amounting. with back
pay, TO the large sum of nearly $4,000,
with a monthly tension of s72. In refer
ence to this matter the Williamsport sun
and Banner, of Saturday, said: The con-
duct Of DIR. Mills, of Elmira, who came to
the city on Wednesday with Blind Pat
terson aud his wife, is peculiar, TO say the
least 1t appears that DR.. Mills was instru-
mentalin securing some $4,000 pension
money for Patterson. The latter could not
stand prosperity and Immediately got
married. A Sherif's jury that had been
empanelled in EImira to determine Patter-
sons competency to manage his own affairs
adjudged him Incompetent, but when they
came to look for the man il was found that
he and his wife accompanied by the doctor
had taken time by the bangs and skipped to
WiliamspoTt. The doctor had Sl3, 900 of
the money in gold in his possession and the
party had good time living at the top of
the heap. Yesterday noon the doctor re-
ceived a telegram from Elmira that must
have contained useful information, as he
gathered his proteges together and started
back toward ElmiIa. 1t is evident that
Patterson is in need of a guardian, but the
fly doctor is not likely to be the one selected
by the court to fl that position. What his
intention was in leaving Elmira so hurriedly
and mysterously - not known, but it
looked susplciousiy like an attempt on the
part of the doctor to make the best OF his
opportunities at the expense of the blind
soldiers pension fund. He will doubtless
make full explanation to the Chemung
county court at the next term
Since the above appeared in the sun and
Banner the following comes in dispatch
from ElmIra:
The noted pension case of Francis Pat
terson, the blind man, who few days ago
received SIS .322, appears TO have been
fraudulent from beginning TO end. 1t was
managed by DR.. X, Y. Mills, OF this city.
Wilkes Miller. a resident of this place.
made an affidavit before Pension Agent
Galatian to the effect that Mills promised
him (Miner) 500 if he would make an
affidavit before Justice to the effect that
he had known Patterson in the army, and
that Patterson then had sore eyes which
/ resulted in blindness.
/ Miller says that he then went 10 another
/ town and impersonated a cOmrade or Pat
/ tersOn, testifying to the same thing. For
( this he was TO receive 81 900 If the pension
| was secured. Miler's motive for cOnfessing
/ the fraud is revenge on Mills, who refused
/ to pay him as agreed. DIR. Mills is missing
/ from ElmiTa and the sum of about IS 600 is
missing also. he had power Of attorney
/ from Patterson and went with the blind
] pensioneT to Syracuse to draw the money.
/ Steps we're then being taken in Elmira for
/ the appointment of a commission to take
charge of patterson's money and the severa
Z checks were brought to this city and de
posted. Without the knowledge OF Patter
sons attorney Mills drew all the money
/ from the bank with Patterson and escaped
/ into Pennsylvania. The next day Judge
Dexter appointed guardian for Patterson
and he went in search of his ward. HI
found him at Lock Haven, but Mills had
gone to Philadelphia, leaving only g. 800
witt Patterson in a bank in that city.